If your home has a chimney, properly cleaning it is essential to the safety and well-being of your family and structure. A chimney sweep removes blockages, soot, and other accumulations from all the components, which helps prevent any dangerous situations. But how can you tell if you’re due for a chimney cleaning? The experts at Chimney Pro, based in Fort Payne, AL, say you should schedule an appointment when one of the following applies to you.

A crackling fire is a wonderful way to keep your home warm and cozy when it’s chilly outside — but only as long as the chimney and fireplace are clean and well-maintained. While a chimney may not seem like it needs much maintenance, dirt and particulate buildup can present some serious problems. Below are just a few of the dangers of skipping annual chimney cleanings.

3 Dangers of a Dirty Chimney

Chimney Fires: As ash, vapor, unburned wood particles, and other by-products of the fire go up the chimney, they rapidly cool and stick to the sides of the chimney. When the resulting residue hardens, creosote is formed, which is a dangerous substance that can be highly flammable. If the deposits are thick enough, they can combust if the chimney temperatures climb, causing catastrophic fires that essentially burn your home from the inside out.

Carbon Monoxide: If the chimney is dirty enough, gas and debris may not be able to escape, causing carbon monoxide to seep into the home. This tasteless, odorless gas is extremely dangerous and potentially lethal. Those exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning may suffer from confusion, dizziness, nausea, and, eventually, loss of consciousness.

Toxic Material Exposure: Creosote and soot can come back down the chimney in small particles, causing serious health problems for those who come into contact with it. Some common symptoms include respiratory problems, rashes, and eye irritation, but it can also cause seizures and even cancer in some individuals.

The chimney cleaning professionals at Chimney Pro have the training and expertise needed to keep you and your family safe throughout the winter. With locations in Chattanooga, TN, Fort Payne, AL, and Rome and Dalton, GA, they provide high-quality services to homeowners throughout the region. To schedule your chimney cleaning, use our contact form or call us at (256) 845-9814 today.

Having a songbird stuck in your chimney can present more than a few challenges. While you might be more than happy to allow the animal to stay and nest, leaving it in place could create hazards for both the bird and your family members. The professionals at Chimney Pro in Fort Payne, AL, and Chattanooga, TN, are familiar with this type of issue. Below, we will share a few tips to safely and effectively rectify the situation.

For many people, approaching cooler months conjures up images of cozy gatherings around a warm fireplace. However, if you haven’t done any chimney cleaning since last year, or you’re trying your fireplace out for the first time, it may not be safe to use.

The experts at Chimney Pro understand the dangers of operating a dirty chimney. Below, we will highlight the potential hazards that can cause damage to your home and explain why it’s important to have your chimney cleaned by a professional:

Even if you use your chimney every time the temperature drops, you might not know just how vital a role some of its most prominent parts play. One of these key components is the chimney liner, which serves multiple purposes and can be found in the majority of modern homes. The chimney cleaning experts at Chimney Pro in Fort Payne, AL, help area residents with everything from chimney inspections to leak repairs, and they’re here to highlight the purpose behind your average liner.

We all know the importance of removing lint from the lint trap inside the dryer. Most wouldn’t think of running a load of clothes without performing this task. The buildup of lint in this area is just a small portion of the lint that is produced. The dryer vent is the route in which lint, air and gases travel and is removed from the home. Lint can build up and clog these vents creating a fire hazard.

Your gas fireplace needs love too! Many homes have gas burning fireplaces but homeowners don’t think about getting them serviced until they need it for that special occasion like that first big football game or Thanksgiving dinner. So why not get an annual checkup for your fireplace before that first fire? Calling on a professional fireplace technician can save you time, frustration and money.

When lighting up a fire in your fireplace this winter, take a moment to think about the wood you’re using. Seasoned wood is the best to work with, as it will light quickly and burn longer than the non-seasoned variety. Here are some tips on ensuring you use only seasoned wood, how to determine if it is indeed seasoned, and the risks of burning wet wood.

Having a roaring fire burning brightly in your living room’s fireplace is a cozy, comfortable way to spend a winter evening. However, if you have a traditional masonry fireplace, only five to 10% of the heat produced stays inside the home. That’s because traditional wood burning fireplaces aren’t very efficient. They lose far more heat up the flue than they retain. That’s why they’re not very good for use as a main heating tool. However, the use of wood burning fireplace inserts can prevent heat loss and keep much more of the generated heat inside your home.

Inserts generate hotter and longer-lasting flames, plus they retain a higher percentage of heat. This is an eco-friendly approach to heat generation, as you’re not using as much gas or electric heat to keep your home comfortable during the winter, plus you’re using wood — a natural renewable resource. Because you’re not using your traditional heat source quite as much, you’re saving money on those monthly energy bills. In addition to those savings, you’re reducing your maintenance costs, as inserts don’t require as much TLC as your traditional heating system. Over time, you may face a repair bill, but always check your system’s warranty coverage from the manufacturer before paying out of pocket.

For centuries folks have been trying to find ways to take care of creosote buildup in their flue and passing it down through the generations. Old days it was common to throw a live chicken down the flue to remove the soot. Progression took us to burning salt and aluminum cans. Now, not capping the chimney because the birds and rain keep it clean. The scariest, “I set mine on fire intentionally every year and burn it all out”. Many lives and homes have been lost because we didn’t know what worked. Today, we have codes, standards, and technology that gives professionally trained chimney sweeps the knowledge that wasn’t available to our predecessors.